New spam attacks?

admin

Ok, A quick heads up.Recently Terry noticed a bunch of new fist time posters have imbedded links in their posts. Some are asking really simple questions, while others have fairly detailed questions that don't seem to fit the typical spammer profile. They look to be cut and paste from other sites in an attempt to get past spam filters. We've been dumping the ones we see, but I figured I'd save this one and post it up for a bit so guys would know what to be on the lookout for. Most of these post early in the morning. Here's one that posted up at about 4am Eastern.QUOTE=JOE23;4262441 I have a 300ex that needs case machining to fit a big bore cylinder i bought, what all does this case machining entitle? i know the goal is to accomodate a sleeve with a larger O.D. but does this have to be done professionally or can it be done with a dremel or such as long as one is careful and doesnt get any metal shavings into the bottom end of the motor? [IMG}http://dailydigitaldeals.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/11/37/smile,gif[/IMG][/QUOTEIn the regular post there isn't anything that would alert most to to link. However if you quote the post, you'll quickly spot the link at the end as shown above. I'm not really sure if this is deliberate spam, or possibly a virus that attaches the link to the end of someones post. All the links seem to be to the same site. So far they keep coming back even when we've banned the IP's of the ones so far. Maybe those more familiar with computers might have some input on this. If this IS truly spam, we'll dump and ban them. I'd hate to ban guys over an unintentional link though.Either way, report any you spot, and I'd suggest pulling up a quote and checking for a link before writing out any complicated replies to 1st time posters. In the mean time we'll keep dumping any new  posts with links like this. We are looking more into this and trying to find a way to deal with this. Thanks..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the update.   There have been a string of recent ones selling iPhones, Androids etc.  I always report them via the report button, but take it one step further.  All of these ones use a gmail account and usually a Skype one and list them in the spam.  I report them to both companies.  Simply copy the contents, paste into your email message, and address it to [email protected], and [email protected]. Do a blurb on how their service is being used for SPAM. Not only holds for those two companies, generally any online email service has an abuse email account to handle situations such as this.I'm a former I.T. specialist with the Province of Nova Scotia (retired), but spam is not my specialty, I dealt with network accounts and SIM (Single Identity Management).  However, I'd be leery of 1st posts that contain spam.  My thoughts are that it's deliberate.  Given that though, it does appear that it's possible that a script or something else is triggering it.  Put the following into a google search (without quotes) "spam link embedded in online post" and you'll get plenty of hits.Last edited by dellwas; 06-05-2014 at 05:37 AM.
Reply:Another example of one of these "hidden spam" threads. I dumped the link, but it was a direct copy paste of a 5 year old Yahoo Answers thread.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=1#post4270531I don't even have to guess if this one is spam or not. He's going to be gone shortly. I know most of us want to be helpful to new members, but try and keep on the lookout for these new spam guys. No sense wasting your time on answering questions copy pasted to post spam links..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If they post spam on their first post you should just out right drop their user accounts. Banning IP addresses does not work. Using a VPN or Proxy server, they can get right around that.kidtigger24Last edited by kidtigger24; 06-07-2014 at 10:11 PM.  They think I’m crazy, but I know better. It is not I who am crazy. It is I who am MAD!
Reply:Good heads up. I go on that fixya website sometimes. Never thought about the quote part.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:I wouldnt ban the I.P's. Let vBulletin do the work. Place the users in coventry (global ignore) also downloading and using the "miserable users" patch eventually annoys the spammers they leave the site alone. If you are not familiar with miserable users, once you place a user in the usergroup, it gives them a "slow load". Regardless of their internet/computer speeds, it places a huge load on their servers, and makes it appear your site isnt loading, and will never load.Also you can "once touch ban and clean" the users which destroys any posts they have,and wipes them from the database conpletly. It keeps their IP in a list with other IP's which are banned. You can use a more "risky" feature, which uses a 75-80% IP match to ban any incoming users, in COPPA (Users awaiting moderation), before they auto time in to the "registered users" usergroup (to which we all belong.If you guys arent crazy tech saavy with the vBulletin Control Panel, I can walk you through a lot of this, its all I do on the forum I run, Turbododge.comSpam sucks, good luck with it! Id rather have a PITA user to deal with causing drama than blind spam attacks.
Reply:Can site setting be adjusted so noobs have to have a minimum post count of 5 or 10 before they are allowed to post pictures or links?
Reply:I'm sure if the Admin wanted to they could. One down side to that is that new guys who actually need information fast to solve problems or say buy a machine, are seriously hampered by restrictions like this. The spammers however don't really seem to be bothered much by things like that.Many times you'll see spammers make numerous "benign" posts simply to up their post count so that they can get past the spam filters some sites have where you must have a minimum number of posts before you can post links. I've seen the same thing with time. They create a new profile, then simply wait a month or so before spamming.It's an ongoing battle that never seems to end. For every avenue we block, some one will find a way around it. The hardest to block are the individuals. You really can't easily block someone from signing up like a legit member. You can only shut them down once they start..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:We actually have a couple people on our site that greet all the new members that join per day. Send a quick VM, as they get a PM from me. the VM as well as a profile glance helps to identify the spambots, and spammers.
Reply:I'm not spam. Just sayin.Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Reply:I am sort of a new member with just a few post asking about plasma cutters.  Have never introduced myself,  is that a good prerequisite? I just figured I would get in and ask some questions.  I did start out with asking about certain helmets. Mike